3 Things to Consider Before Buying a Grill

Summer is officially in full swing with some great Fourth of July deals on the best grills and other backyard equipment to entertain your friends. These sales make this one of the best times to upgrade your grill. Whether you’re a grilling novice looking to take advantage of the warm weather or a grill master hosting summer parties, there are plenty of models to choose from.

My final pick is the BriskIt Origin 580 AI Pellet Grill ($699 at Lowe’s) for cooking up smoked chicken and beef dishes. This grill uses smart temperature probes, generative AI, and a sleek app to guide you through every step and adjust its temperatures automatically.

But not everyone needs these fancy features. Here’s what you need to know when buying a grill to make your summer cookouts a success.

A man grilling food on a barbecue outside — (Photo credit: Shutterstock)

Grill type

There are four main types of grills: gas, charcoal, pellet, and electric.

Gas barbecues

Gas grills are the most popular because they cook quickly, are as convenient as turning a knob, and are easy to use with minimal cleanup. The need for propane or natural gas means you always need to have a spare tank on hand, or you won’t be able to cook.

Charcoal Barbecues

Charcoal grills have long been a favorite among foodies for their rich, smoky flavor profile. They offer the most traditional experience and achieve high heat to sear food. However, they require much more effort with longer heat-up times, extensive cleaning, and a reliance on charcoal. However, they can be extremely portable as the lightweight, compact grills are easy to transport between beach picnics and party events.

Pellet barbecues

Pellet grills are a great hybrid between an electric grill and a charcoal grill. They are often more expensive because they are electric and run on pellets, but can perform multiple cooking functions such as baking, grilling, and smoking at low or high temperatures. Temperatures are generally the most consistent in this category thanks to the cooling technology, and the smoky flavor rivals the best charcoal grills.

Electric grills

Electric grills are plug and play, making them easier to use, create minimal smoke, and take up less space. This makes them ideal for apartments and areas with limited space. You can use this grill anytime as long as you have access to electricity.

Grill size

Cooking Burgers on the Barbecue

(Photo credit: Shutterstock)

Consider how much food you’ll be cooking and how many people you’ll be serving. A larger cooking surface allows for more flexibility, but a smaller grill may be more practical if you have limited space or usually cook for just a few people.

Small grills are 400 square inches or less. This is plenty if you have a small patio or are cooking for a couple or small family. Medium grills are 400 to 600 square inches and offer the best balance of space and cooking surface for the average household. Larger grills are over 600 square inches and are ideal for large gatherings.

Remember, the key to a successful barbecue is to do all the unfun prep work before your guests arrive. Marinating your meats and preparing your sides ahead of time allows you to focus on the experience and flavors together. Plus, you can spend less time checking your proteins and cook them to their target doneness with one of the best meat thermometers . With these tips in mind, you’re ready to find the right grill for your needs.

Features

BBQ Pork Loin on the BriskIt BBQ Grill

(Image credit: Future)

Modern grills come with a variety of features to enhance your experience. While these shouldn’t be the primary factor when purchasing a grill, they can make things easier. These features can range from helpful side racks to full-fledged smart temperature probes. Below are some of the most popular.

Side burners allows you to cook sides or sauces in sync with your main dish.

Rotisserie grills can roast whole chickens or other meats.

Infrared burners provide even heat and high temperatures for searing.

Smart temperature probes allow you to monitor your protein and grill temperatures from anywhere with their Wi-Fi connection.

Digital displays makes it easy to check gauge, cooking times and status without lifting the grill.

Additional storage space such as pull-out shelves, cabinets and tool hooks to hold your food and equipment during or after your session.

Removable ash pans, grease trays and non-stick grates make cleaning easy.